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From Times Online
March 18, 2008

# 1,000 Tibetans arrested in Chinese crackdown

##

Jane Macartney in Beijing

Close to 1,000 Tibetans have been detained in two days of sweeps across Lhasa, the capital, by paramilitary police hunting down those who took part in last week’s deadly anti-Chinese riots.

Sources in the city said that 600 people had been detained on Saturday and another 300 had been picked up on Sunday. They said it was not clear where those rounded up were being detained because the main Drapchi prison in Lhasa is believed to be virtually full.

Those detained could be at the old Number One prison in the Sangyip district in the northeast of Lhasa, which is not currently believed to be in use. They may be held in the nearby Number Four detention centre and the New Lhasa prison in the same district that has recently been used as a re-education-through-labour centre. They could even be taken to the new Chushur prison some distance outside Lhasa, where most political prisoners are believed to be jailed after sentencing.

Chinese officials were not available to confirm the total number of arrests.

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The search for those involved has gathered momentum with the expiry at midnight yesterday of a deadline for the Tibetan protesters, who on Friday stabbed and hacked ethnic Han Chinese, hurled rocks and set fire to offices, shops and schools,

In one residential area of Lhasa near the Potala Palace, a group of police and paramilitary officers raided an apartment block late in the afternoon, drawing a huge crowd of onlookers. They dragged a man of about 50 out of the building along with two young men. All appeared to be city residents and not peasants or nomads from Tibet's vast grasslands.

The paramilitary officers then fired three rounds of teargas to disperse the crowd that had swollen rapidly during the operation, witnesses said. Murmurs of anger had begun to reverberate among the passersby as police beat the older man, believed to be an ethnic Tibetan government cadre, as they dragged him from the building and into a waiting security vehicle.

In the Karma Lunsang district— a warren of old Tibetan homes in the east of the city that the authorities suspect has served as an important hideout for the protesters — police and paramilitary were going house to house to check identity papers. One witness said: “Many people have been taken away, but we don’t know how many.”

The sources said it was not known how many people might have surrendered in return for promises of leniency before the midnight deadline or how many had been arrested since Monday.

Police and troops were manning checkpoints across the city, checking all identity papers and it was still quite difficult for people to move easily through the streets.

Foreign journalists travelling in areas near Tibet have reported movements of troops in the direction of the Himalayan region. Sources said that garrisons of the People’s Liberation Army around Lhasa had been placed on a grade one alert in case of more trouble.

Chinese authorities have blamed Tibetan mobs manipulated by the exiled Dalai Lama for the deaths of 13 people in Friday's riots. Tibetan exile groups have said that as many as 100 people may have been killed as troops backed by armoured personnel carriers moved into the city to quash the biggest protests against Chinese rule in 19 years.

Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier, in his first remarks on the unrest, accused the rioters of trying to disrupt the Olympic Games that start in Beijing on August 8. “They wanted to incite the sabotage of the Olympic Games in order to achieve their unspeakable goal," he said.

Although Lhasa was quiet, the unrest has spread to neighbouring provinces with large Tibetan populations. In northwestern Gansu, which borders Tibet, large numbers of ethnic Tibetans took to the streets late on Sunday, burning shops and business belonging to ethnic Han Chinese and Hui Muslims and burning 16 cars, said one witness.

From Monday night all government offices had been ordered to remain on duty around the clock. A local government order said: “Without a notice, no one may leave their posts.”

In neighbouring Sichuan province, an ethnic Tibetan told Reuters that he knew of no fresh outbreaks of unrest since Monday. “Now they are bringing back stability. There are so many police and People's Armed Police it will be difficult for anything to spread. I'm sure the People's Liberation Army is waiting, too. In the background waiting, if the situation really gets out of hand."

###

"The Dalai Lama has been calling for non-violence for 58 years. All he asks of the Chinese is separation of church and state. The Chinese have no concept of this principal."
Please check the fact before you post. The Dalai Lama was the lifelong head of Tibet. There was no so-called separation of church and state before 1950. There was actually "church (religion) ruling the state". The Dalai Lama should disassemble his government-in-exile first if he is really interested in the peace in Tibet.

Fred, Detroit, MI

China's fascist imperialist government and genocidal policies are being clearly exposed. The free world should apsolutely boycott the Olympic games which should never have been awarded to China in the first place. The situation is so similar to the 1936 games in Nazi Germany!

Jim Del Duca, Bozeman, Mt USA

Chinese gvt credibility - how do we know the Tibetans have hurt people if only the Chinese officials are reporting "what happened". Assuming there is some credibility to the reports of violence by Tibetans, this is a real tragedy for all. This generation of Tibetans have been cut off from their non-violent spirituality - think of Ghandi or MLK trying to do what they did 50 years absent and from exile. This generation has been raised with brutality and repression. If there is violence, it's an understandable and predictable fruition. This is part of the cultural genocide. Of course violence is wrong. No question. Both sides are wrong.
How do we then proceed? Both sides need to bend - as His Holiness advocates - the violence must stop. A path to peace includes meaningful freedoms and respect for Tibetans from China, not blaming the Han neighbors - they're there now and you can't go back and economic benefit and development is an advantage of staying a part of China that HHDL sees.

Karen, Sanford, MI USA

The Tibetan tragedy will always be an ever ending replay of the mean streak in humankind to want to control and dominate. We all suffer from that desire to subjigate those who appear weak, assimilate and erase sense of identity of the oppressed.
Communist China is currently on the upswing curve in all spheres and the desire to be the epicentre of the world in all areas is a re play of what all political powers, both past and present have either done or will do. Tibet ought to be an independent state. History proves this. In the early 50"s, the more dominant and aggresive Han Chinese occupied Tibet and has since then tried to assimilate an ethnic entity to be "Chinese" despite their distinct differences in cultural, language and even physical appearances.
The rest of the world seems resigned to this raw power violation of a people by aliens in their home land.

Patrick Muigai, Nairobi, Kenya

"Any country can invade and occupy another country for whatever reason. Holding on is another question. The Chinese communists and their Han settlers are about to discover the real costs." - Well, so is the US, supposedly leader of the free [Western] world, that is discovering the real cost of holding to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"China has hijacked the Olympics so they can show the world they are a force to be reckoned with" - well, China did not hijack the Olympics, China was awarded the Olympics by a globally well represented IOC members, just as the US and UK was awarded. China does not need Olympics (although it could contribute to) to "show the world they are a force to be reckoned with". China is rising peacefully, unlike the 20th century US that uses political coercion and hard military power to dominate the world.

Hans Goldberg, Chicago, USA, Illinois

It is simply appaling to read some of the messages here.
The Tibetan protesters beat and killed some Han people, burned and ransacked shops and private homes. Yet, you point your fingers to only China and Chinese/Han people.
By doing so, you simply lose your moral grounds/credibility of whatever you are advocating. On the other hand, it would show your decency and sense of justice/fairness if you can be a little bit balanced in what you are saying!

steve, New Orleans, US

China is facing so many charges of human rights violation. Why wouldn't they let foreign media to enter Tibet and see what's happening rather than showing their censored state run footage of the riots. Isn't that a questionable stance that they are trying to hide something from the world? The world should fight for humanity and stand up for what is right. People are dying in Tibet as China crackdowns with the tanks and Marshall law.
China is already faced with the Darfur and Tibet issue? We might not know what is CHina would come up with next?

Tsering P., Wisconsin, USA

Any country can invade and occupy another country for whatever reason. Holding on is another question. The Chinese communists and their Han settlers are about to discover the real costs.

Ray Gunn, Culver City, California

China has hijacked the Olympics so they can show the world they are a force to be reckoned with. Well, using sports to hide behind a totalitarian dictatorship and a country with no vote, no right to demonstrate and no free media is foolish, because of events like this. The emperor has no clothes! They are no different than the Generals in Myanmar, ruthless thugs murdering monks and nuns while talking about "Athletes". No reporters are allowed, so we don't know what is going on. China should thank their lucky stars they have the Dalai Lama to negotiate with, instead of enemies like Saddam or Osama.

Wilbur Varela, los Angeles, california, usa

If China is correct, why are they hiding events from their own people? What are they afraid of? Why don't they trust the chinese people to see the videos and hear reports? This is the same Orwellian dictatorship that used photoshop to show happy antelope prancing along a high speed Chinese train. They rule by the barrel of a gun, and everything is propaganda to control a powerless society. They have burned and destroyed the very artifacts and temples they claim as their heritage. They are afraid of religion and dissent, because they have no ideology other than saying they represent the "Chinese people". Who have no say in the matter.

Wilbur Varela, los Angeles, california, usa

HI ya all, let me pose a hypothetical question. If the Indian tribes in the US say Cheyenne or Cherokee (God bless them) want to be free from the US and form their own nations, would Washington allow them? If twenty years from now, when LA and surrounding areas have a majority Hispanic population and wants to be independent from the US (perhaps even re-join Mexico) what wil you say?

Jonathan T, Jonesboro, AR

Tom, who worship the Chinese government. Your logic that they have done more good, in terms of improving standard of living, than any democratic government in the world, is laughable. (1) this is the same logic Time used to justify naming Hitler as man of the year in 1938 and Putin as man of the year in 2007; (2) the Chinese government has extensive Laogai (reeducation through training) work labor camps, with an estimated 20 million prisioners, mostly political, incarcerated; (3) China has grown its economy at the expense of its environment; (4) corruption continues and there is no uniform rule of law; (5) the communist party running the show is a society of elitists who live off the sweat of the common Chinese person.

Michael , Munich, Germany

Instead of "meeting the Dalai Lama" which would simply provoke China, what about a country hosting a high-level meeting between the Dalai Lama and a Chinese leader? While it is exceedingly unlikely that a Chinese leader would be willing to meet the Dalai Lama at present time, the very offer of a talk could smooth things out by showing that the West is not out there to demonize China, but rather, engage positively with the country.

Lam, Coventry, UK

thugs, thugs, thugs...... criminal elements..

AK, Pomona, US

Do you not realise that this is Tibet's cry for help? Dalai Lama has been calling for non-violence since 1958 however cultural genocide continues and Chinese have no respect for Tibetans. I do give them credit for making improvements in the area but Tibetans have no voice there, what difference does it make? It's a perfect time for Tibetans to highlight the issue as all eyes are on China at the moment,just before the Olympics. The international community needs to raise its voice and call for a peaceful solution before it gets too late - or we end up with another kosovo.

Julia, Dublin, Ireland

Dalai Lama promoted peaceful protest, like Ghandi, but the younger generations of Tibetian promotes anarchy and war.

Peter, Costa Mesa, CA

Why UK doesn't allow an independent Ireland or Scotland? I am sure there are ppl in there want independence just like some Tibetants. There are IRA who have done much violence and have been labeled terrists. I am not trying to make china sounds good or compare china to western countries. But never the less, it is a legitimate governement in china and tibet for now. It has brought much stand of living improvement in china and tibet. China is not a democratic government, but which nation in the world can compare to china what it has done in the past two decades? No one can claim such credit to transform a nation in such a short term with so little to start from.
I will give credit to the chinese governement. They have done more than any democratic governement in the world. When there are good sides there are always bad sides. You cannot make everyone happy specially there are over 1 billion ppl there. It is always easier to manage small area and small group of ppl.

Tom, San Jose, United States

It would be a little step if Gordon Brown could meet the Dalai Lama. Perhaps we should make this view known to him and I would suggest he set out now. The occupation of Tibet is, and has always been, illegal and, perhaps, the United Nations organisation should be called to help mediate. Not everything the Chinese nation has done in Tibet has been wrong but their policy does appear to be total subjugation of its indigenous people as well as cultural genocide. Every right thinking person should oppose this.

David Aspinall, Newcastle on Tyne, U.K.

There is nothing wrong for any government to stop a bloody riot quickly and effectively; And there is nothing wrong for any government to try to bring those criminals into justice. Just think about what you would say if you were the family of the one being burned to death.
There are other hot button things, obviously human rights being one of them, indeed need to be addressed, However using that to justify such violate act just went too far. By applying the same logic one could say all Muslim terrorist occurs because they are so suppressed by the west. Obviously that is not the case.

Jack, Coral Springs, FL

How can the world's nation participate in the Olympic Games in China, while they occupy another country? It is the perfect time for the Tibetan people to show the world what China has done. We all need to see what China is about before the millions of dollars that the Olympic Games bring in are given to China. China is an aggressive occupier of another country and has tried to eliminate a culture and religion far too long, it is time Tibetans stand and show the world what China has done and is still doing. Every nation and people has a right to freedom and China has taken this away from the Tibetan people for 50 years. Let the world know what China is doing before sending the Olympic money to them in August. Now we know where and how that money will be spent. It will be spent imprisoning and enslaving Tibetans for another 50 years.
Now is the time for the world to watch and for Tibetan people to stand strong against an evil nation, to bring freedom back to Tibet.

William Elkins, Forest, VA, USA

This is genocide and culture extermination without mercy. The Chinese are shamed in the eyes in of the world and should be. This has been going on now for years.
Please check out the following documentary:
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion

Scott, Santa Cruz, California

Whoa, according to the report Tibetan mob have:
Stabbed, hacked, and killed innocent civilians in addition to general destruction and looting.
Yet you guys have no condemnation for these abhorrence or sympathy for the dead?
Really, the act of arrest and punishment seems to be demonized. Perhaps you should ask Brown to endorse these rampage and murder.

Jeremy, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michigan

@ William L, Detroit, MI
The difference is that in the U.S. the rioters were charged with a misdemeanor and released. In China they are beaten, tortured, and often killed. Granted, the U.S. is often no angel but nothing done here even moderately compares to the widespread disregard for human rights and inhumane treatment of dissidents that occurs in China. The fact that you could type what you did online without fear and without thinking twice is proof of the difference. It is not with a racist eye but rather with a realistic one that most civilized people who have done their proper research condemn the practices there.

Jim, Melbourne, FL

You know why our politicians and governments won't do a damn thing to help the Tibetans? Because they're all making millions of dollars with the Chinese. The Chinese are nothing more then modern day Nazis, but nobody cares as long as that money machine keeps spinning. Keep that in mind the next time you buy a product that says "Made In China" on it.
This whole situation is heartbreaking, and there is no end in sight for the suffering of the Tibetan people. Where is America when it comes to defending the freedom of Tibetans? I guess there's isn't any oil in tibet.

Charles M., Dallas, GA

What's the human right in your point of view? Builid up environmental un-friendly industries in developing countries and seize the profits from cheap labour?
It's a shame to have no views of one's own but driven by the media. Have you ever been there and know how people live there? If not, please do not discuss about another country's business.
Besides, it's rediculous for someone to consider DALAI as a symbol of fairness and peace. One brings terror, a symbol of peace?

Tracy Wu, London, UK

Can we lend our support to to Tibetans as rights-bearing political individuals and stop using the naive language of romantic peace-lovers caught up in this crazy world? It's like Battle for Algiers over there.

TK, San Diego,

The Chinese government is doing what they can to restore order and stability. That's more important for Tibetan people than the seeking of independent a few are trying to fan.

Terry, Toronto, Canada

US police arrested 20000 people in 1990's Los Angels riot. Why do you never say that is a problem? US is White? Chinese are not? In last year's immigrant demonstration in Los Angels, US police arrested hundreds of people. What is the problem? Please do not use a racist eye to see the world.

William L, Detroit, MI

Is the world really content to hold the olympics there as if nothing is wrong? It will be a sad spectacle for the opressed in China, for whom the olympics will be a blatant symbol of the world's willful ignorance of Chineese atrocities.

C, Fort Worth, Texas

China is now learning that hosting the Olympics comes with serious accountability. It's not just a bed of (red) roses. Tibet is an occupied nation. The world will be watching China this year, so this is Tibet's biggest chance to publicize their plight. Tibetans should listen to the Dalai Lama and refrain from violence. Perpetrators should be punished justly but, unfortunately, Chinese punishment is often harsh and inhumane so they must restrain themselves, too.
China must realize that calling Tibet "autonomous" is not enough. Unitl Tibet is truly autonomous or independent, Tibetans have every right to voice their greivences and engage in civil disobedience. If the Chinese punish those who use peaceful acts to strugle for independence, then they will besmurch their own character at a time when all eyes are on them. After nearly 60 years of occupation, it is time for China to humble itself and do what is right. Free Tibet!

Russ Bonny, Golden, Colorado, USA

The Dalai Lama has been calling for non-violence for 58 years. All he asks of the Chinese is separation of church and state. The Chinese have no concept of this principal.

Mai Majewski, Orlando, FL

Whoa, according to the report Tibetan mob have:
Stabbed, hacked, and killed people in addition to general destruction and looting.
Yet you guys are nitpicking about politiciansâ€™ stance?

Jeremy, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michigan

When will the world help liberate a small peace loving nation like Tibet, from the suppression and oppression of the Chinese!?

Brian, Washington DC,

Boycott the Olympics until China quits Tibet

Phil, Preston,

Tell me again why politicians and sport people have, on the whole, not criticised China's human rights record in this olympic year?

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

time for all us to go -- and witness!

Guy, Santa Cruz, CA

And yesterday in Parliament Gordon Brown avoided answering the question when he was asked whether he would met the Dalai Lama when he comes to the UK in the near future. Shame on you Mr Brown.

Kevin Thompson, High Wycombe, UK

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